Fiberboard shipping container



SePt- 5 1967 P. woJclK 3,339,821

FIBERBOARD SHIPPING CONTAI NER File 2 'Sheets-Sheet l March 15. 1966 G.

INVENTOR Sept. 5, 1967 R. P. woJclK FIBRBOARD SHIPPING `CONTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 15, 1966 F/G. /O

INVENTOR RICHARD F. VVOJCIK United States Patent O 3,339,821 FIBERBOARD SHIPPING CONTAINER Richard P. Wojcik, Chicago, Ill., assignor to International Harvester Company, Chicago, lll., a corporation of New Jersey Filed Mar. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 534,517 11 Claims. (Cl. 229-39) enclosures for articles being shipped, they possess serious shortcomings which beoorne apparent when it is desired to ship fragile articles in such berboard shipping containers. When shipping fragile articles it is usually necessary to provide some form of resilient cushioning means to space the article from the container outer walls to pre- Patented Sept. 5, 1967 icc description in conjunction with the annexed vdrawings vent shock loads which are imparted to the outer container walls from being transmitted to the article itself. It is usually necessary to provide an article isolating and protecting inner packing or liner for the shipping container to support and position the article packed within the fiberboard shipping container in such a manner so as to minimize damage or injury of the article. Obviously the article isolating and protecting liner adds to the total cost of shipping the article. It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to obviate some of the shortcomings of prior berboard shipping containers of the self-lockin-g type by providing a novel shipping container with article seating means which means will suspend or space the article contained therein from the panels defining the container outer walls so as to prevent the transmission of impact forces to which the carton outer walls are subjected to the article.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a blank construction which can be easily assembled into a shipping container, the blank being Icapable of supporting the article to be shipped in a shock free manner when the blank is assembled into the shipping container.

Still another object is to provide a shipping container the outer Walls of which -generally define an enclosed lrectilinear compartment and in which the end uWalls of the assembled container are formed to provide seating means for positioning the article contained therein in such a manner that it is spaced from the side walls of the container.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a corrugated berboard container having end wall closure structures of the self-locking type which end closure structures engage the article being shipped and prevent the article from shifting within the container when the end closure structures are in their closed and locked conditions.

A still further object is the provision of an improved and simple blank design for a shipping container whereby the shipping container can be produced for minimal cost and which lassembled shipping container is capable of isolating the article Abeing shipped from impact forces, jars, shocks and the like without the necessity of providing a separate article-isolating compartment for the article.

The foregoing and other important objects and desirable features inherent in and encompassed by the invention, together with many of the purposes -and uses thereof, will become readily apparent from a reading of the ensuing in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of an end closure structure for a shipping container embodying the present invention; a portion of the structure is broken away to better illustrate the constructional details;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the container structure illustrated in FIGURE l; a tubular article (indicated by broken lines) is shown positioned therein;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the blank employed for forming the shipping container of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a'perspective View of one end of the shipping container, the Vend closure'structure is 4illustrated in its fully opened position; j

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 with the exception that one end flap is shown folded in its closedpo'sition; and

FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and l0 are views similar to FIG. 5 and pictorially illustrate, sequentially, each stepv in the operation to close one end of the shipping'container.v

Referring to the'drawings in detail', wherein like reference characters represent like elements throughout the various views, itwill'be noted that the blank A1|),which is b'est illustrated in FIGURE 4,from which the shipping container is formed or assembled includes a pair of generally rectangular and identical adjacent inner sections 11 and 12 and a pairof generally rectangular outer sections 13 and 14. The blank 10 is formed'by die cutting ap; paratus (not shown) and is made 'of corrugated iiberboard material or the like; Each of the blankV sections 11, 12, 13 and 14 have a generally 'rectangular shape andare of the same overall size. Theiinner blank sections 11 and 12 are adjacent' to each other and are 'foldably interconnected by a'fold line or line of scoring 15.V The inner blank section 11 is adjacent to and integrally forined'with the outer 'blank section 14 and the blank sections 11 and 13 each havea respectivelon'gitudinal side thereof defined by a fold or score'line' 16 which is parallelto the score' line'1'5. In a similar Amanner one longitudinal edge 'of' each 0f the adjacent sections 12 and 13 is defined by a score line 17 which, like the score line 16, is substantially parallel to the score line 15. The blank sections 11'-14 are each substantially identical in size and configuration' and are adapted to collectively define' the side panels'or Walls of the -shipping container when the blank' sections 11-14 are folded with respect to each other about the 'score lines 15, 16 and 17 during assemblage of the blank 10 intoa shipping container. The free longitudinal edges 18 v-and 19 of the outer blank sections 13 and '14, respectively, are foldably joined together by any conventional means 'such as by a strip of gummed tape or the like (not shown).

As best illustrated in FIG; 4,' the inner blank section -12 is provided with a pair of end flap members 20, 21. The flat member 20 is integrally formed with the inner blank section 12 and the 'edge thereof which is common to an edge of the inner blank'section 12 and perpendicular to the fold lines 15 and 17 is dened by a fold or score line 12. In a similar manner, the generally rectangular ap member 21 at the opposite end (or lower end,` as viewed in FIG. 4) of the -inner blank section 12 is foldably con,- nected thereto by means of a fold or score line 23. It is to be understood that fold lines 22 and 23 are parallel with respect to each other andthe llap members 20 and 21 are substantially identical in size-and have the same rectangular configuration.

p outer blank section 13, as viewed in FIG. 4, is foldably connected to the outer blank section 13 by fold line or line of scoring 28 and in a similar manner the lower end ap 27 is joined to the outer blank section 13 at fold line or line of scoring 29.

The inner blank section 11, adjacent to the outer blank section 13, is also provided with a pair of end aps 30, 31 which are mirror images of each other. The end flap 30 is joined to the inner blank section 11 along a fold line or line of scoring 32 which is in alignment with the fold lines 22 and 28, as viewed in FIGURE 4. As viewed in FIG. 4, the lowermost end ap 31 is foldably connected to the inner blank section 11 at fold line 33. The upper and lower ends of the outer blank section 14, as viewed in FIG. 4, are also provided with end flaps 34, 35, respectively, which are substantially mirror images of each other. The uppermost end ap 34 is foldably joined to the outer blank section 14 along fold line or line of scoring 36 and in the same manner the lowermost end ap 33 is foldably joined to the blank section 14 along a fold line or line of scoring 37.

Referring to FIGURE 4, it will be noted that each of the end flaps 26, 30, 20 and 34 at the upper end of the blank 10 is provided with a reverse line of scoring 38, 39, 40 and 41, respectively, which is spaced from and is disposed in substantially parallel relationship with respective fold lines 28, 32, 22 or 36. In a similar manner, each of the end flaps 27, 31, 21 and 35 disposed at the lower end of the blank 10 is provided with a reverse fold line or line of scoring 42, 43, 44 and 45, respectively, which is spaced and is disposed in a substantially parallel relationship to respective fold lines 29, 33, 23, 37.

Inasmu-ch as end aps 20 and 21 associated with the inner blank section 12 and the end flaps 26 and 27 associated with the outer blank section 13 are substantially identical in construction, size and shape, common reference numerals will be utilized to indicate the common structural features embodied therein. The end aps 20, 21, 26 and 27 are each provided with an elongated slot 46 therethrough; each slot 46 has a width equal to or slightly larger than the thickness of the material of which the blank 10 is made and a length approximately one-half the length of the end ilap 20, 21, 26 or 27 in which it is formed. The slot 46 formed in the end ap 26 is entirely on one side vof the reverse fold line 38. The purpose of disposing the slot 46 in this manner will be pointed out hereinafter. It is to be understood that the slots 46 formed through the end flaps 20, 21 and 27 are constructed and arranged with respect to the end flap in which it is formed in exactly the same manner in which the slot 46 is constructed and arranged within the end flap 26 as described above. The end flaps 20, 21, 26 and 27 are each further provided with a pair of parallel reverse fold lines 51, each of which extends from a respective longitudinal end of the slot 46 to the outermost longitudinal extending edge of the end flap which outermost edge is spaced and parallel with respect t the longitudinal fold lines 22, 23, 28 or 29 associated therewith. Each of the aps 20, 21, 26 and 27 are also provided with a pair of angularly disposed reverse fold lines 52. Each angularly disposed reverse line 52 extends between one end of a respective one of the slots 46 and a respective end of a respective fold line 28, 22, 29, 23 adjacent to the slot.

Referring to FIG. 4 and more particularly to that portion of the gure illustrating the end ap 26, it will be noted that if the dimension thereof, as measured along fold line 28, is considered to be four units, then the width dimension ofthe end flap 26 measured along the outer end 47 is three units. Consequently, the slot 46, which was stated hereinbefore as being one-half the length of the end ap 26, has a linear measurement of two units and has one end spaced from the outer edge 47 a distance of one unit ymeasured along the reverse fold line 38 and its opposite end spaced from the edge 48, longitudinally spaced from and parallel to the edge 47, a distance of one unit also measured .along the reverse fold line 38. It will also be noted that the reverse fold line 38 is in alignment with one longitudinal side 49 of the slot 46 and the edge 50 defining the other longitudinal side of the slot 46 is spaced from the fold line 28 a distance equal to the width of the slot 46 plus one unit. The purpose of disposing the slots 46 entirely on one side of the reverse fold line 38 in this manner will be pointed out hereinafter. It is to be understood that the slots 46 formed through the end flaps 20, 21 and 27 are constructed and arranged with respect to the end ap in which it is formed in exactly the same manner in which the slot 46 is constructed `and arranged within the end flap 26 as described above. The end flaps 20, 21, 26 and 27 are each further provided with a pair of parallel reverse lfold lines 51, each of which extends from a respective longitudinal end of the slot 46 to the outermost longitudinal extending edge of the end ilap which outermost edge is spaced and parallel with respect to the longitudinal fold line 22, 23, 28 or 29 associated therewith. Each of the end aps 20, 21, 26 and 27 are also provided with a pair of angularly disposed reverse fold lines 52. Each angularly disposed reverse fold line 52 extends between one end of a respective one of the slots 46 and a respective end of a respective fold line 28, 22, 29, 23 adjacent to the slot.

The end aps 30 and 31 associated with the inner blank section 11 are each provided with a generally square tab 53, 54, respectively. Each tab 53, 54 has a length equal to two units and as well as a width equal to two units. One edge of the tab 53 is defined by reverse fold line 39 and in a similar manner one edge of the flap 54 is defined `by a reverse line 43, The end flap portion 55 of the end ap 30 operatively interconnecting the tab 53 and the inner blank section 11 has its end edges 56 angularly disposed approximately 45 with respect to the fold line 32. In a similar manner the end edge 57 of the end flap portion 58 operatively interconnecting the flap 54 to the inner blank section 11 is also angularly disposed with respect to the fold line 33 at an angle of approximately 45.

Referring now to the construction of the end flaps 34 and 35 associated with the outer blank section 14, it will be noted that, with the exception of the ears 59, 60, they are constructed in exactly the same manner as the end flaps 30 and 31 associated with the inner blank section 11, the construction of which was described. Each end flap 34, 35 includes a tab 61 which corresponds in size and shape to the tabs 53 and 54 described hereinbefore. Each end ilap 34, 35 also includes an interconnecting portion 62 for joining the tabs 61 associated therewith to the outer blank section 14. The interconnecting portions are substantially the same size and shape as the end Hap portions 55 and 58. Each ear 59 is joined to a respective tab 61 along a fold line 63 and in a similar manner each ear 60 is joined to a respective tab 61 along a fold line 64. Thus the fold lines 63 and 64 define spaced edges of the tab 61 and, consequently, since the ears 59 and 60 each have one edge coextensive with the tab 61, the ears 59 and 60 have a length of substantially two units. It will also be appreciated that each ear 59, 60 has a width of one unit and, hence, each of the ears 59, 60 is generally rectangular in shape. The edges 64 and 66 in alignment with the reverse fold line 41 of the ears 59 and 60, respectively are each provided with a triangularly-shaped tooth 67, the purpose of which will be apparent hereinafter. The comparable edges 68, 69 of the ears 59 and 60 of the end flap 35 are also provided with teeth 70.

In use, the die cut carton blanks 10 may be shipped to the user in bundles and when it is desired to utilize the invention, the user erects a blank 10 into a carton assembly by a quick and manual manipulation which will be described .presently or, alternatively, the blanks 10 can be shipped to the user in a partially assembled state. Regardless of which procedure of supplying the shipping container to the user the assembly steps are the same. The inner blank sections 11 and 12 are folded 90 with respect to each other about the score line 15. Thereafter, outer blank section 13 is folded into a right angular relation with the inner blank section 11 about score line 16. In a similar manner the outer blank section 14 is folded at right angles with respect to the inner blank section 12 and, as a result, the marginal edges 18 and 19 are adjacent to each other. The adjacent marginal edges 18 and 19 are hingedly connected together by means of a conventional gummed tape or strip (not shown) adhesively secured to the blank sections 13 and 14. It is to be understood that other suitable means could be employed for hingedly connecting the edges 18 and 19 together. When the blank is in this condition a generally rectangular carton body structure is formed and the blank sections 11 to 14, inclusive, serve as vertical side walls of the shipping container or carton. The bottom end of the shipping container is formed so as to appear as illustrated in FIG. 1 by sequentially following each of the steps illustrated in. FIGS. 5 through 10.

With the end flaps 21, 31, 27 and 35 projecting vertically as illustrated in FIG. 5, the `end ap 21 is folded inwardly at right angles with respect to the side wall or panel 12 to the horizontal position, illustrated in FIG. 6. It will be appreciated that inasmuch as the dimension of the end ap 21 measuerd between the fold line 23 and the edge 72 parallel to the fold line 23 is the equivalent of three units and whereas the dimension of each of the side panels 11 and 14 measured along the fold lines 33 and 37, respectively, is four units, the edge 72 is spaced one unit from the side panel 13. It will also be appreciated that the edge 49 of the slot 46 formed through the end llap 21 is spaced one unit from the side panel 12 when the end flap 21 is in this position. Following the step wherein the end flap 21 is folded inwardly, the end ap 27 associated with the side panel 13 is folded at right angles with respect to the side panel 13 to an overlapping position with respect to the end flap 21 as illustrated in FIGURE 7. It will be appreciated that because of the relationship of the size and shape of the end flaps 21 and 27 with respect to each other and the disposition of the slots 46 formed therethrough as described in detail hereinbefore, one marginal edge 73 of the end ap 27 is substantially in vertical alignment with the reverse fold line 44 and the edge 49 of the slot 46 formed through the end flap 21. In other words, the slot 46 associated with the end ap 21 is covered by the end flap 27. It is also to be understood that although not illustrated, the marginal edge 72 partially defining the limits of the end ap 21 is in vertical alignment with the edge 49 of the slot 46 associated wit-h the end llap 21. Both slots 46 are obstructed by edge portions of the end ilaps 21 or 27. The next two steps in the shipping container or carton assembly operation which steps are illustrated in FIG. 8 involve the folding of the ap 31 inwardly about the fold line 33 to a horizontally extending overlapping relationship with the end flaps 21 and 27. It will be observed that inasmuch as the tab 54 is designed to be substantially two units square and since the fold line 33 is spaced one unit Afrom the reverse fold line 43, the marginal edge 74 partially dening the tab 54 and spaced from and parallel to the reverse fold line 43 is substantially in vertical alignment with a respective pair of the vertically aligned reverse fold lines 51 of the yend flaps 21 and 27, and the spaced and parallel marginal edges 75, 76 of the tab 54 disposed at right angles to the edge 74 are each in vertical alignment with a respective slot edge 49. It will, therefore, be appreciated that both slots 46 are disposed inwardly from the edges 75, 76 of the tab 54 when the end flaps v21, 27 and 31 are in this position. The next step in the shipping container assembly -or erection 0pveration involves folding the ears 59 and 60 at right angles with respect to the tab 61 of the end flap 35 about fold lines 63, 64 respectively.

With the end flaps 21, 27 and 31 in their horizontally disposed, overlapping relationship, as shown in FIG. 8,

it will be appreciated that the tab 54 overlies both slots 46 and the slot 46 formed through the end flap 21 is additionally overlapped by the edge portion adjacent to Jthe marginal edge 73 of the end flap 27. The edge portion adjacent to the marginal edge 72 of the end Hap 21 underlies the slot 46 associated with the end flap 27. Thus, the ears 59 and 60 cannot be inserted through the obstructed and covered slots 46. In order to permit passage of the ears 59 and 60 through the slots 46, the entire tab 54 is pressed vertically downwardly in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 9. The application of downward pressure on the tab 54 causes the entire centrally disposed portions of the end ilaps 51 and 27 disposed in vertical alignment with the tab 54 to also move vertically downwardly therewith, such vertical movement being permitted by bending along the reverse fold lines 42, 43, 44, fold lines 23, 29, 33 simultaneously with bending along diagonal reverse fold lines 52. As the tab 54 is being pressed downwardly it remains substantially horizontally disposed as do the centrally disposed portions of the end aps 51 and 27 and the slot 46 formed through the end ap 21, in effect, moves relatively to the tab 54 in a horizontal direction toward the side wall panel 12. Consequently, the end portion adjacent the marginal edge 72 underlying the slot 46 associated with the end flap 27 also moves relatively toward the side wall panel 12 relatively to the end ap 27. Simultaneously with the relative movement of the end flap 21 with respect to the tab 54, the portion of the end flap 27 between the edge 73 and the reverse fold line 42 moves in a similar manner relatively to the tab 54 in an opposite direction toward the side wall panel 15. Consequently, both slots 46 move out of underlying relationship with the tab 54 once the tab 54 has been pressed downwardly a predetermined distance from the position shown in FIGURE 8. It will also be appreciated that the edge portion of the end flap 27 adjacent the marginal edge 73 is moved out of ,overlying relationship with the slot 46 formed through the end ap 21 when the ap 54 is in the position illustrated in FIG. 9'. In a similar manner the edge portion of the end flap 21 adjacent the marginal edge 72 which underlies the slot 46 formed through the end flap 27 prior to depression of the tab 54 is moved out of such underlying relationship with the slot 46 associated with the flap 27. Thus, both slots 46 are accessible from above the tab 54 and are substantially unobstructed. With both `of the slots 46 disposed as shown in FIG. 9, the end flap 35 is folded about score line 37 and each of the ears 59 and 60 is caused to enter a respective one of the slots 46. Thereafter, the tab 61 is pressed rmly into horizontal abutting engagement with the tab 54, as shown in FIG. l0. When in this position, the outermost surface of the tab 61 is vertically spaced below the plane containing the fold lines 23, 29, 33 and 37 of the side wall panels 12, 13, 11 and 14, respectively, as viewed in FIGURE 10. It will also be noted that the junctures of the surface portions of the end flaps 21, 27 partially encircling the central portions opposite the reverse Iscore lines 52 from diagonally extending ridges. The ridges are engageable by and serve as seating and positioning means for one end of the cylinder liner or sleeve 71 or other cylindrical article to be shipped in the assembled container. As a result, the lower end of the cylinder liner 71 is vertically spaced above the lower ends of the container side wall panels 11, 12, 13 and 14 and is also spaced horizontallyeinwardly 'from the container side wall panels. Inasmuch as the length of each ear 59, 60 is substantially the same as the length of the slot 46 in which it is disposed'and since each 'tooth 67 projects from a respective side edge 65, 66 of the respective ears 59, 60 the teeth 67 prevent inadvertent withdrawing of the ears 59, 60 from the slots 46 and, in effect, locks the end aps 21, 27, 31 and 35 in their endclosing, depressed positions. When the end flaps 21, 27, ,31 and 35 are in their end-closing, depressed positions,

the exposed outermost surface portions of the end flaps substantially define a frustum of a pyramid.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the normally lowermost end of the shipping container is closed by the interaction and cooperation of the end flaps 21, 31, 27 and 35 as stated hereinbefore. The shipping container blank is preferably made of corrugated fiberboard or the like and, hence, there is a tendency for the end flaps 21, 27, 31 and 35 to spring back from their endclosing, depressed positions, illustrated in FIG. 10, to positions wherein each of the end panels 21, 27, l31 and 35 each lies in an individual at or horizontal plane. In other words, there is a tendency for the flap 54 and the end ap portions of the end flaps 21 and 27 to move to positions relatively to the tab 54 wherein the slots 46 underlie the end tab 54 and are obstructed by edge portions of the end flaps 21 and 27. However, with the ears 59 and `60 in place in slots 46, as pointed out hereinbefore, such movement is impossible. It will, therefore, be appreciated that interlocking of the ears 59 and 60 with the slots 46 maintains the end flaps 21, 27, 31 and 35 in their depressed, end-closing positions. Obviously, the ears 59 and 60 may 'be withdrawn from the slots 46 to unlock and permit opening of the end flaps 21, 27, 31 and 35.

Once the normally lowermost end of the shipping container is closed by means of the end flaps 21, 31, 27 and 35, the partially assembled shipping container is turned end for end the cylindrical article 71 is inserted into the open end of the shipping container. The lower end of the article 71 is seated upon the four diagonally extending ridges. As clearly illustrated in FG. 3, an inner portion of the end wall means formed by the end flaps 21, 27, 31 and 35 extends into the open lower end of the article 71 and prevents movement thereof toward the side wall panels 11, 12, 13 and 14. Furthermore, the lower end of the article 71 engaged by such inner portion of the end wall means is maintained in a spaced relationship with respect to a plane containing the fold lines 23, 29, 33 and 37. Thereafter, the end aps 20, 36, 30 and 34 are folded inwardly with respect to the side wall panels 11, 12, 13 and 14 in the same manner as were the end panels 21, 27, 31 and 35 described hereinbefore and it is to be understood that the upper end panels interlock and interengage each other to form a depressed or concave end wall means for the shipping container in the same manner as the lower end panels. With the upper end panels 20, 26, 30 and 34 in their depressed end-closing positions, the diagonal ridges formed on the inside of the shipping container are engageable with the upper end of the cylindrical object or article 71 to be enclosed by and shipped in the container or carton. Thus, it will be appreciated that with the four upper and the four lower end flaps in their depressed, end-closing positions, the article 71 is relatively immovably supported within the container and is positioned with respect to the side wall panels 11, 12, 13 and 14 thereof in such a manner that a spacing is maintained therebetween without the necessity of employing separate article-isolating devices. Furthermore, the longitudinally spaced ends of the article 71 are maintained in a spaced relationship from the extreme ends of the shipping container without the need of separate article-isolating means for accomplishing t-he same objective.

The embodiment of the invention chosen for the purposes of illustration and description herein is that preferred for achieving the objects of the invention and developing the utility thereof in the most desirable manner, due regard being had to existing factors of economy, simplicity of design and construction and the improvements sought to be effected. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the particular structural and functional aspects emphasized herein are not intended to exclude, but rather to suggest, such other adaptations and modifications of the invention as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A shipping container comprising two pairs of opposed side wall panels, and end closure means for each end thereof for completely closing the same, each of said end closure means including a plurality of flaps foldable inwardly from said side wail panels about fold lines to flat overlapping positions with respect to each other, said fiaps including centrally located tab portions, said tab portions being depressible below the level of a plane containing the fold lines of said flaps to end-closing positions wherein each of said tab portions lies in a plane spaced and substantially parallel to the planes containing the other tab portions and the tab portions associated with each pair of opposed side wall panels are substantially in registration whereby the outwardly exposed concave surface portions of said flaps substantially define the outer contour of an inverted frustrum of a pyramid, said flaps completely closing an end of the container when said tab portions are in their end-closing positions; and releasable locking means engageable with said certain of said tab portions for maintaining said flaps in their depressed, endclosing positions.

2. A shipping container as set forth in claim 1, wherein said releasable locking means includes a pair of spaced and parallel ears integrally formed with one of said tab portions, said ears being insertable in slots formed in certain other of said tab portions only when said flaps are in their end-closing postions to lock said flaps together, said ears extending substantially perpendicular to the planes containing said tab portions when in position to lock said flaps together.

3. A shipping container comprising two pairs of opposed side walls, and end closure means for each end thereof, each of said end closure means including, a first flap foldable inwardly from a respective side wall panel about a fold line to a flat position, said flap including a tab portion spaced from said fold line; a second flap foldable inwardly from a respective side wall panel opposite said first mentioned side wall panel about a fold line to a fiat, overlapping relationship with said first iiap, said second ap including a tab portion abutting said first flap tab portion, said tab portions each having an elongated slot formed therethrough extending substantially parallel to the fold line associated therewith, said slots being parallel and spaced a predetermined distance apart when said first and second flaps are in their flat, overlapping relationship, each of said tab portions being partially defined by the longitudinal edge of the slot formed therethrough closest to the fold line associated therewith; said tab portions .being depressible below the level of a plane containing the fold lines of said flaps to end-closing positions whereby each of said rst and second tab portions moves relatively outwardly toward its respective side wall panel and away from the other tab portion; and releasable lock means operatively engageable with said slots when said tab portions are in their depressed positions to inhibit movement of said slots toward each other and thereby releasably lock said flaps in their depressed, end-closing positions.

4. A shipping container of corrugated cardboard or the like comprising, two pairs of opposed side walls, and end closure means for each end thereof, each of said end closure means including, a first flap foldable inwardly from a respective side wall panel about a fold line to a flat position, said flap including fa tab portion spaced from said fold line; a second flap foldable inwardly from a respective side wall ypanel opposite said first mentioned side wall panel about a fold line to a flat, overlapping relationship with said first flap, said second flap including la tab portion abutting said first tab portion, said tab portions each having an elongated slot formed therethrough extending substantially parallel to the fold Aline associated therewith, said slots being parallel and spaced a predetermined distance apart when said first land second flaps are in their flat, overlapping relationship, each of said tab portions lbeing partially defined by the longitudinal edge of the slot formed therethrough closest to the fold line associated therewith; said tab portions being depressible below the level of a plane containing the fold lines of said flaps to end-closing positions whereby each of said first and second tab portions moves relatively outwardly toward its respective side wall panel and away from the other tab portion; and releasable lock means operatively engageable with said slots when said tab portions are in their depressed positions to inhibit movement of said slots toward each other and to thereby releasably lock said flaps in their depressed, end-closing positions, said lock means including a third flap foldable inwardly from a respective side wall panel, said third flap having a third tab portion movable to an overlying, depressed relationship with said rst and second tab portions when said first and second t-ab portions are in their end-closing positions, said third tab portion having a -pair of integrally formed, spaced and parallel ears projecting substantially at right angles therefrom, each of said ears being insertable in a respective one of said slots when said rst and second flaps are in their end-closing position.

5. A shipping container as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said ears has a length and thickness substantially equal to the length and width of the respective slot in which it is inserted.

6. A shipping container comprising two pairs of opposed side Wall panels, and an end closure means, and end closure means for one end thereof including, a first flap foldable inwardly from a respective side wall panel about a fold line to a flat position, said flap including a tab portion spaced from said fold line; la second flap foldable inwardly from a respective side wall panel opposite said first mentioned side wall panel about a fold line to a fl-at, overlapping relationship with said first flap, said second flap including a tab portion abutting said rst flap tab portion, said tab lportions each having 4an elongated slot formed therethrough extending substantially parallel to the fold line associ-ated therewith, said slots being parallel and spaced a predetermined distance apart when said first and second fiaps are in their fiat, overlapping relationship; a third fiap foldable inwardly from a respective -side wall panel about a fold line to la flat, overlapping relationship with said first and second flaps, said third fia-p including a tab abutting said tab portion of said second flap and being of a size to cover said slots, said tab and tab portions being depressible below the level of a plane containing the fold lines of said flaps to end-closing positions whereby each of said first and second tab portions moves relatively outwardly toward its respective side wall panel and away from the other tab portion, tab portions further moving with respect to said tab so as to expose said slots; and releasable lock means operatively engaging said slots for inhibiting movement of said slots toward each other to thereby lock said flaps in their depressed positions.

7. A shipping container as set forth in claim 6, wherein said container is made of corrugated cardboard and said aps are being continually biased to their undepressed, flat positions, and said releasable lock means includes a third tab portion having a pair of spaced and parallel ears projecting normally therefrom, each of said ears being insertable in a respective slot when said flaps are in their end-closing positions.

8. A shipping container as set forth in claim 7, wherein said third tab portion is substantially square and each side has a 4length substantially equal to said predetermined distance.

9. A shipping container comprising two pairs of opposed side wall panels, and end closure means for one end thereof including, a first ap foldable inwardly from a respective side wall panel about a fold line to a flat position, said flap including a tab portion spaced from said fold line; a second ap foldable inwardly from a respective side wall panel opposite said first mentioned side wall panel about a fold line to a fiat, overlapping relationship with said first flap, said second flap including a tab portion abutting said first flap tab portion, said tab portions each having lan elongated slot formed therethrough extending substantially parallel to the fold line associated therewith, said slots being parallel land spaced a predetermined distance apart when said first and second flaps are in their flat, overlapping relationship; a third flap foldable inwardly from a respective side wall panel about -a fold line to a flat, overlying relationship with said first and said second flaps, said third flap including a tab abutting said tab portion of said second fiap and being of 'a size to cover said slots, said tab and tab portions being depressible below the level of a plane containing the fold lines of said flaps to end-closing Ipositions whereby each of said first Iand second tab portions moves relatively outwardly toward its respective side wall panel and away from the other tab portion, said tab portions further moving with respect to said tab so as to expose said slots; and a fourth flap foldable inwardly about a fold line from a respective side wall panel opposite said side wall panel to which said third flap is foldably connected, said fourth flap including a tab movable into flat, overlapping and abutting engagement with said third flap tab when said third flap tab and tab portions are in their depressed positions, said fourth liap tab carrying a pair of spaced and parallel ears, said ears partially embracing said third flap tab and each of said ears being extendable through a respective slot for inhibiting movement of said slot-s toward each other to thereby releasably lock said flaps in their depressed, end-closing positions.

10. A shipping container as set forth in claim 9, wherein said container is made of flexible and resilient material whereby said lia-ps are lbeing continually biased toward their flat positions from their depressed, end-closing positions.

11. A shipping container for a cylindrical article, said l container being made of corrugated fiberboard or the like and comprising two pairs of opposed side wall panels, and end closure means for each end thereof, each of said end closure means including, a first rectangular flap foldable inwardly from a respective side wall panel about a fold line at one longitudinal edge of the flap to a flat position, said flap including a tab portion spaced from said fold line, the ratio of length to Width of said flap being substantially 4 to 3; a second rectangular flap foldable inwardly from a respective side wall panel opposite said first mentioned side Wall panel about a fold line along one longitudinal edge of the flap to a fiat, overlapping relationship with said first flap, said second flap including a tab portion abutting said first ap portion, said second flap having a length to width ratio of substantially 4 to 3, said tab portions each having an elongated slot formed therethrough extending substantially parallel to the fold line associated therewith, said slots having a length substantially equal to one-half of the length of the flap in which it is formed, said slots being parallel and spaced a predetermined distance apart when said first and second flaps are in their flat, overlapping relationship; a third flap foldable inwardly from a respective side wall panel about a fold line to a flat, overlying relationship with said first and second flaps, said third flap including a tab abutting said tab portion of said second fiap, said talb being substantially square in configuration and having a length substantially equal to one-half of the length of said first iiap, said tab covering said slots when in its fiat overlying relationship with said first and second flaps, said taband tab portions being depressible below the level of a plane containing the fold lines of said flaps to end-closing positions whereby each of said first and second tab portions moves relatively outwardly toward its respective side panel and away from the other tab portion, said tab portions further moving with respect to said tab so as to expose said slots, said first, second, and third flaps being continually Ibiased toward their fiat, undepressed positions from their depressed, end-cl0sing position; and a fourth flap foldable inwardly about a fold line from a respective side Wall panel opposite said side wall panel to which said third flap is foldably connected, said fourth ap including a tab movable into fiat, overlapping and abutting engagement with said third flap tab when said third flap `tab and tab portions are in their depressed positions, said lfourth ap tab being generally square in configuration and of substantially the same size as said third flap tab, said fourth ap tab having a pair of integrally formed, spaced and parallel ears projecting normally therefrom, each of said ears having one edge co-extensive with respective edge of said fourth flap tab, said ears partially embracing said third ap tab and each of said ears being extendable through a respective slot for inhibiting movement of said slots toward each other to thereby releasably lock said aps in their depressed, end-closing positions, said aps when in their depressed, end-closing positions being and adapted to operably engage a respective end of the cylindrical article to be shipped in the container to prevent relative longitudinal and transverse movement thereof with respect to container.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner.

D. T. MOORHEAD, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SHIPPING CONTAINER COMPRISING TWO PAIRS OF OPPOSED SIDE WALL PANELS, AND END CLOSURE MEANS FOR EACH END THEREOF FOR COMPLETELY CLOSING THE SAME, EACH OF SAID END CLOSURE MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF FLAPS FOLDABLE INWARDLY FROM SAID SIDE WALL PANELS ABOUT FOLD LINES TO FLAT OVERLAPPING POSITIONS WITH RESPECT ABOUT FOLD LINES TO FLAPS INCLUDING CENTRALLY LOCATED TAB PORTIONS, SAID TAB PORTIONS BEING DEPRESSIBLE BELOW THE LEVEL OF A PLANE CONTAINING THE FOLD LINES OF SAID FLAPS TO END-CLOSING POSITIONS WHEREIN EACH OF SAID TAB PORTIONS LIES IN A PLANE SPACED AND SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO THE PLANES CONTAINING THE OTHER TAB PORTIONS AND THE TAB PORTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH EACH PAIR OF OPPOSED SIDE WALL PANELS ARE SUBSTANTIALLY IN REGISTRATION WHEREBY THE OUTWARDLY EXPOSED CONCAVE SURFACE PORTIONS OF SAID FLAPS SUBSTANTIALLY DEFINE THE OUTER CONTOUR OF AN INVERTED FRUSTRUM OF A PYRAMID, SAID FLAPS COMPLETELY CLOSING AN END OF THE CONTAINER WHEN SAID TAB PORTIONS ARE IN THEIR END-CLOSING POSITIONS; AND RELEASABLE LOCKING MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID CERTAIN OF SAID TAB PORTIONS FOR MAINTAINING SAID FLAPS IN THEIR DEPRESSED, ENDCLOSING POSITIONS. 